GUIDELINES FOR

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION OF
ROAD WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION
Materials Engineering
Report No. 2006-21M

F CHOWDHURY
GEOMECHANICS AND STRUCTURAL MATERIALS ENGINEER

MAIN ROADS Western Australia

August 2006

ABSTRACT
This guideline has been prepared to assist in the planning, conducting and reporting of
geotechnical investigation of road widening and reconstruction. The objectives for these
guidelines are to describe the processes or stages of work to be followed for the site
investigation. The guideline also indicates standard of skill, workmanship and reporting to be
applied in the investigation process.
This guideline document should be used as a guide and not approached or referred to as a
limiting or standard geotechnical investigation/design specification.

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CONTENTS
PAGE

1.

INTRODUCTION

2.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

3.

STAGES OF INVESTIGATION

3.1 Field Reconnaissance Survey

3.2 Desk Top Study

3.3 Site Investigation

3.3.1

Embankment Foundation

3.3.2

Cuttings in Soil

3.3.3

Cuttings in Rock Excavation Materials

3.3.4

Soft/Wet Areas

3.3.5

Embankment Materials

3.3.6

Road Reconstruction and Widening

3.3.7

Groundwater

3.4 Field Logging and Sampling Standards

3.5 Laboratory Testing

4.

GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN

5.

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT

10

REFERENCES

15

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1.

INTRODUCTION

This guideline document has been prepared to assist in the planning, conducting and
reporting of geotechnical investigation of road widening and reconstruction. The objectives
for these guidelines are to describe the processes or stages of work to be followed for the
site investigation. The guideline also indicates standard of skill, workmanship and reporting
to be applied in the investigation process.

2.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

The objectives for these guidelines are to:

describe processes or stages of work to be followed for a site investigation

indicate standards of skill, workmanship and reporting, which are to be applied

The scope of the geotechnical investigation shall be strictly limited to the requirements of the
project design and specification and shall not, except where necessary to meet project aims
and objectives, address construction issues.
Defining the scope of the investigation (eg. number of test locations, type of test and depth)
is not covered explicitly by these guidelines.
The following needs to be considered to assess the number, location and depth of tests:

expected sub-surface conditions

requirement to minimise Contractor and MRWA risk of changes during the

construction programme due to variations in the subsurface conditions from that reported
during the investigation stage
Allowance should be made for the anticipated level of variability in ground conditions and
possible changes to the design. An experienced and suitably qualified personnel should
make these decisions and discussion on the number, location and depth of the selected tests
must be a part of the geotechnical report. This discussion must enable the reader of the
report to understand what factors were used to assess these variables and provide a clear
understanding of the deliverables.
While the above points should be covered by a well planned investigation there may be
situations where during the investigation stage it is considered by MRWA or the geotechnical
consultant that additional investigation will be required to generate a more reliable model and
minimise risk. This work shall be undertaken at a schedule of rates agreed upon prior to the
commencement of the investigation.

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3.

STAGES OF INVESTIGATION
3.1

Field Reconnaissance Survey

For most site investigations access and environmental constraints have major
influences on cost. It is therefore necessary for a field reconnaissance survey to be
conducted as the first stage of a geotechnical investigation. This may be undertaken
by Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) or by a Consultant specifically engaged
for this survey. Information on the following should be obtained:

Legal and physical aspects of access to site, for example, access for drilling
rigs.

Availability of any services or supplies of water, electricity, earthworks plant.

Buried or overhead services.

Photographs of surface conditions.

Traffic control requirements.

On-ground survey details.

Tide, river level or other natural constraints.

Notes on any exposed geology, for example the presence of boulders,

bedrock exposure, swamps etc.

The field reconnaissance survey must be diligently prepared and conducted to allow
for reliable cost estimates to be prepared. Experienced and suitably qualified
personnel should perform the survey. Further stages of the investigation should be
held until the field reconnaissance survey has been completed.
3.2

Desk Top Study

Every site investigation should commence with a desk study directed towards
collecting, collating and reviewing the following:

Design drawings from any previous structure at the site.

Previous site investigation reports, borehole logs, penetrometer results and

construction experience.

Geological maps, survey data and records.

Hydrological data.

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Aerial photographs.

Local knowledge and resources.

Where possible, collection and collation of the above information should be

undertaken during the field reconnaissance survey stage. However, further work to
fully explore the extent of information available may be required.
3.3

Site Investigation

A comprehensive geotechnical investigation of the project site should be carried out

in order to characterise the materials and conditions which will be encountered during
the construction and operation of the project, their nature, variability, extent and any
special requirements to be observed. The investigation should be undertaken in a
systematic manner to minimise the likelihood of contract variations arising from
unexpected conditions. The detail of the investigation should be commensurate with
the potential risks, hazards and complexity of the project.
The investigation should include subgrade evaluation, sampling of soils throughout
the project site with appropriate logging of all excavations and boreholes, logging of
existing cut slopes and excavations, field and laboratory testing including field
monitoring, measurement of groundwater level and interpretation of the results and
preparation of a geotechnical report.

Where changes of soil type are encountered, the investigations should determine the
boundaries and depths in sufficient detail to enable the extent of appropriate design
units and treatments to be determined. Minimum standards (frequency of testing) to
be adopted in geotechnical investigation and design work are listed below:
3.3.1

Embankment Foundation

The embankment foundation investigation should as a minimum consider the

following issues:

the range of materials in the embankment foundations and where appropriate

the pavement subgrade (including subgrade strength)

settlement potential

stability

hydrogeology, moisture regime and drainage requirements

special construction requirements

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Sufficient samples should be taken of the embankment foundations and pavement

subgrades for testing purposes. Each pavement subgrade design unit shall be
sampled and tested in accordance with Engineering Road Note No. 9 Procedure for
Thickness Design of Flexible Pavements.
Embankment foundation investigations should comply with the minimum standards
requirements as given below:

Maximum test pit/borehole

spacing

500m

Minimum test pit/borehole

depth

1.5m below subgrade level, or

0.5m below table drain or subsoil drain level, or
0.5m below culvert invert level,
whichever is the greater or refusal

3.3.2

Cuttings in Soil

The cutting investigation should as a minimum consider the following issues:

the range of materials in the cuttings and in the pavement subgrade

slope stability

subgrade strength

suitability of cut materials for basecourse, sub-base and embankment fill

excavation conditions

hydrogeology, moisture regime and drainage requirements

the extent of any problems which may be encountered during and after
construction.

Except where refusal does not permit, each pavement subgrade design unit should
be sampled and tested in accordance with Engineering Road Note No. 9 Procedure
for Thickness Design of Flexible Pavements.
Soil cutting investigations should comply with the minimum standards requirements
as given below:

Maximum test pit/borehole

spacing

100m

Minimum test pit/borehole

depth

1.5m below subgrade level, or

0.5m below table drain or subsoil drain level, or
0.5m below culvert invert level,
whichever is the greater or refusal

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The inspection of soil exposure in cuts on existing roads in the area is recommended.
This will give an indication of the variability of the soils and geology in the area.
Additional investigation may be required in areas of cut to fill transition as at these
points the material is expected to have variable and relatively unstable moisture
regimes.
3.3.3 Cuttings in Rock Excavation Materials
For road construction specification purposes and for the purposes of this Guideline,
MRWA defines rock excavation materials as
all materials to be excavated to achieve the road design cross section including
table drains which cannot be ripped and excavated with a tracked dozer in good
condition with matching hydraulic single shank ripper of
combined mass not less than 52 tonnes (this refers to a Caterpillar D10R or its
equivalent) at a rate in excess of 90 cubic metres (solid) per hour. Isolated
boulders greater than 0.8 cubic metres in volume may be included in this
definition
Where significant volumes of materials are encountered in cuttings which
potentially fall within the definition of rock excavation materials then additional
investigations should be conducted by one of the following two techniques:
(a)

excavate trenches in the in-situ materials using a dozer complying with

the above requirements supplemented with the drilling of boreholes (eg
solid auger drilling), to determine extent of rock excavation materials.

(b)

carry out a seismic refraction survey (except in Tamala Limestone) to

determine the seismic velocity profile within the cutting materials and
supplement with sufficient test pits or cored boreholes to identify rock
type, strength and joint spacing. The seismic refraction survey should
be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced geophysicist.

Dozer trenches should be logged in accordance with Section 3.5 Field Logging
and Sampling Standards. Where dozer trenches are excavated, the log shall
include time required to excavate trench, trench dimensions, descriptions of the
in situ and excavated materials and good quality colour photographs of the
finished trench and excavated material.
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Rock cutting investigations should comply with the minimum standards

requirements as given below:

Maximum dozer trench

spacing

200m

Maximum solid auger spacing

20m

Minimum depth of
investigation

1.5m below subgrade level, or

0.5m below table drain or subsoil drain
level, or
0.5m below culvert invert level,
whichever is the greater or refusal

The solid auger penetration rates should be recorded in terms of the downward
resistance experienced by the flight auger. Disturbed samples, based on cuttings
accumulated around the top of the solid auger boreholes, should be logged and the
information should be presented in Borehole Summary Sheets.

3.3.4

Soft/Wet Areas

Where soft/wet soils are found, particularly in the vicinity of low embankments, or in
shallow cuttings, additional investigation, sampling and testing should be carried out
to determine the in situ CBR of the proposed subgrade.
The location and characteristics of any soft/wet areas or springs should be recorded
and reported. The treatment required to enable the construction and operation of the
road across or through these areas should also be recommended.
Investigations of soft/wet areas should comply with the minimum standards
requirements as given below:

Maximum test pit/borehole

spacing

50m

Minimum test pit/borehole

depth

1.5m below subgrade level, or

0.5m below table drain or subsoil drain level, or
0.5m below culvert invert level,
whichever is the greater or refusal

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3.3.5

Embankment Materials

The suitability of materials encountered within the cuttings should be assessed for
embankment or pavement construction. Recommendations should be made as to the
use of selected fill materials within one metre of pavement subgrade level and the
placement of inferior quality materials in the lower parts of the fills.
3.3.6 Road Reconstruction and Widening
Investigation and testing for reconstruction of an existing pavement should involve the
following:

Benkelman Beam or Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing for assessing

the structural adequacy of existing pavement

Sampling and testing of existing pavement materials (pavement dippings)

In-situ tests on the subgrade using Perth Sand Penetrometer or Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer

Subgrade sampling for moisture content determinations

The moisture condition in the subgrade under an existing seal provides an indication
of long term equilibrium moisture conditions. However, the moisture conditions under
the outer wheel path will be affected by seasonal situations. It is worthwhile to
sample and test the subgrade materials for moisture content and strength under the
existing seal. This will provide equilibrium moisture conditions and strength values of
the existing subgrade and give some indications on how existing pavements have
performed under traffic.
It will be necessary to carry out detailed geotechnical investigations if reconstruction
involves widening of the pavement. Field tests should be performed in the shoulder
on the side on which it is proposed to widen. The topography, geology, soil types and
drainage conditions present throughout the site should be taken into consideration
during selection of test sites.

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The spacing between test sites is dependent on ground variability and risk associated
with the project. The spacing of test sites for subgrade investigation usually varies
from 50 to 150m for urban projects and up to about 300m for rural projects. In
general, spacing should be closer for more important projects. The interval between
sites may be increased on less important roads, particularly where ground conditions
are more uniform. Each pavement subgrade design unit should be sampled and
tested in accordance with Engineering Road Note No. 9 Procedure for Thickness
Design of Flexible Pavements. The Austroads Pavement Design Guide (2004) also
provides broad guidelines to subgrade evaluation.
3.3.7

Groundwater

Groundwater must be investigated to determine:

the level of the permanent groundwater table at the time of the investigation
and seasonal variation

occurrence of a perched water table condition and its level

the presence of sub-artesian conditions

potential aggressiveness of the soil and groundwater, for example SO4, Cl, pH
and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) to buried concrete and steel.

For some cases it will be necessary to install standpipes in selected boreholes to

enable sampling and observations of water level to be made.
3.4

Field Logging and Sampling Standards

Logging of soils shall be carried out in general accordance with Appendix A, Section
A2 of AS 1726 - 1993 Geotechnical Site Investigations except as varied below.
Logging of rock shall be carried out in general accordance with Appendix A, Section
A3 of AS 1726 - 1993 Geotechnical Site Investigations.
Where boulders occur in a soil, the log shall include the maximum size of boulder (eg.
boulders to 800mm).
A log report shall be prepared and submitted for each excavation or borehole. The
location of all test excavations and boreholes shall be accurately defined so that their
position can be related to the alignment. This may require the pick up of all sites by
surveyors. For excavation logs, the log shall include a factual record of the ease with
which the various materials encountered were excavated.

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All in situ testing should be carried out in accordance with the relevant standard and
supervised accordingly. All field logging and sampling shall be undertaken by a
suitably trained and experienced geotechnical engineer, engineering geologist or soil
technician. Sampling shall be conducted or supervised by the person logging the
excavations and boreholes. All soil sampling shall be carried out in accordance with
MRWA Test Method WA 100.1 Sampling Procedures for Soil and Granular
Pavement Materials.
The log shall clearly distinguish between data obtained by visual observation and
data obtained by field measurement. Laboratory test data shall not be included on
the log.
Where appropriate the information provided must be supplemented with good quality
colour photographs of the test trenches and the excavated material.
The location of all test excavations and boreholes sites shall be surveyed to at least
+1.0m in plan position (AMG) and +0.1m in level (AHD) so that their position can be
related to the alignment.
3.5

Laboratory Testing

All testing shall be performed in accordance with the MRWA Materials Testing
Manual. Where no MRWA Test Method exists, Australian Standards should be
utilised. If no Australian Standard is appropriate other standards may be utilised with
the approval of the Project Manager. Laboratory testing shall only be carried out in
NATA accredited laboratories for the particular tests in question. All test results shall
be presented as NATA endorsed reports. The scope of testing to be such that:

Consistency or classification of each of the different characteristic layers

identified during the field program is established, for example Atterberg limits
or Particle Size Distribution

Engineering parameters of different materials are established, for example

Unconfined Compressive Strength testing on rock, subgrade CBR etc.

4.

GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN

Geotechnical design work should be carried out to accepted professional standards,

commensurate with the potential hazards both to the Principal and the public, by suitably
qualified and experienced geotechnical professionals.
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The geotechnical report should clearly detail all design parameters and assumptions and
where appropriate, the analysis approach adopted.
Design work which extends beyond the scope of work agreed at the time of tender, subject to
the authorisation of the Project Manager, shall be undertaken as a variation.

The slope stability design should as a minimum include:

safe cut and fill slope angles

consideration of drainage measures

consideration of the scour potential of the cut or fill face and control treatments

slope stabilisation measures

potential for toe scour

rock fall protection measures

recommendation and design of field monitoring systems if necessary

All foundations shall be designed to meet satisfactory performance levels for bearing
capacity and settlement. The need for field monitoring systems should be considered.
Where embankments are found to have potential for significant settlement, due to the
presence of compressible foundation layers, a settlement analysis should be performed.
Significant settlement shall be defined as a settlement likely to adversely impact the
performance of the project including construction, operation and maintenance. The analysis
should include an assessment of the impact of settlement on the road pavement.
The requirements for drainage control measures, to protect the integrity of cut slope batters
and pavement structures, should be assessed as part of the geotechnical investigation.

5.

GEOTECHNICAL REPORTS

The report should provide sufficient information to allow tenderers to prepare bids and to
manage the Principals risk of any subsequent contractual claims. The alignment, together
with the location and results of all investigation, sampling and testing should be detailed in
the Geotechnical Report. The report should identify the extent, nature and variability of all
soil types and shall draw particular attention to the following matters:

The scope of the investigation including a statement that only design issues were
considered.

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A summary of all existing factual and interpretive geotechnical information pertaining

to the site. All interpretation and opinion included in the report shall be deemed the
responsibility of the Consultant, regardless of its source.

The information contained in a geotechnical report would normally be used for design,
tendering and construction purposes. The report should be prepared in two parts.
Part 1 (Information for Tenderers Report) details of all field and laboratory test data to be
represented
Part 2 (Interpretative Report) the geotechnical evaluation, interpretation, conclusions and
recommendations
Each part should be complete in itself with Part 2 containing all the information presented in
Part 1, Site Investigations Report. Both parts should contain keys to all symbols, terms and
abbreviations used, together with a clear statement of any limitations which apply. A special
preface sheet must be included with all information distributed to Tenderers or Contractors.
The Information for Tenderers Document shall contain all factual and interpretive data
relevant to the construction of the works. Professional opinion shall generally be excluded.
Where professional opinion is considered essential to minimising the Principals risk, it shall
be clearly and appropriately qualified as opinion only.
Part 1 Presentation of Information for Tenderers
The presentation of factual geotechnical information will include, but not be limited to, the
following:

Purpose and scope of the geotechnical investigation, including a discussion on the

extent and scope of the investigation.

Brief description of the project for which the geotechnical report is being compiled
giving information about the location of the project.

Dates between which field and laboratory work were performed.

Detailed description of methods used for the field and the laboratory work with
reference to accepted standards followed, and with discussion on rationale used to
determine type, spacing, frequency and locations of all tests.

Types of field equipment used.

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Presentation of field observations which were made by the supervising field

personnel during the execution of the sub-surface explorations.

The principal geological and topographical features of the area, with an appraisal of
the terrain and hydrogeological conditions.

A description of the investigation methodology, standards and scope of testing

including an account of any site constraints encountered.

A summary of each proposed cutting showing a minimum of:

(i)

the types of materials including their extent and variability, all test results
including subgrade CBR values, the location and extent of any soft/wet areas.

(ii)

the presence and extent of any core stones, weathered rock and rock
excavation materials.

(iii)

the factual excavation characteristics of the various materials. Where

significant rock exists but is not rock excavation materials, a discussion of
the results of the dozer excavations.

(iv)

suitability of any cut materials for embankment or pavement construction, and

if appropriate the treatments required to meet the specification for basecourse
and sub-base.

Data on fluctuations of ground water table with time in the boreholes during the
performance of the fieldwork and in piezometers after completion of the fieldwork.

Compilation of individual boring logs, penetrometer results etc. for each of the test
locations with descriptions of sub-surface formations based on field descriptions and
on the results of laboratory testing. In addition the location and level of each of the
test locations should be accurately defined and may require survey control.

Colour photographs of rock core.

Grouping and presentation of field and laboratory test results in appendices and as
summary tables.

Part 2 Presentation of Evaluations, Conclusions and Recommendations

(a)

Evaluation of geotechnical information

The evaluation of geotechnical information will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Review of the field and laboratory work. Any particularly adverse test results should
be considered carefully in order to determine whether they are misleading or
represent a real phenomenon that must be accounted for in the design.

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Tabulation and graphical presentation of the results of the field and laboratory work in
relation to the requirements of the projects.

Determination of the depth to the ground water table and its seasonal fluctuations.

Detailed description of all sub-surface formations in relation to their physical

properties and their compressibility and strength characteristics. Comments on
irregularities such as pockets, cavities etc.

Collating and presentation of the geotechnical data for each sub-surface formation.
This presentation should be in a form, which would enable selection of characteristic
values for design. A long section should be provided showing subsurface geology
along the proposed road.

A summary of each proposed embankment foundation showing the types of

materials, their boundaries, a summary of penetrometer readings and any remedial or
construction requirements; where soft underlying layers are found, the boundaries
and depth of these layers, test results of samples taken, predicted settlements and
recommended remedial measures.

Sites of low quality or unsuitable subgrade material and proposed treatments for
these materials during construction.

Comments on the gradeline, especially where the pavement may be affected by the
ingress of water.

The identification of subgrade design units, their boundaries, a summary of the test
results and CBR values and comments on the presence of subsurface water or
moisture.

Other relevant aspects such as selection of materials for upper layers of

embankments, slope stabilisation requirements, the need for subsoil drainage,
presence of expansive clays, precautions if constructing in wet weather etc.

Where design work has been undertaken, details of all design parameters and
assumptions and where appropriate, the analysis approach adopted.

Submission of proposal(s) for further field and laboratory work, if deemed necessary,
with comments justifying the need for this extra work.

(b)

Conclusions and Recommendations

The conclusions and recommendations of a geotechnical report will include, but not be
limited to the following:
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Recommendations on the safe maintenance free angle at which the cut and fill batter
slopes should be constructed in the various materials including details of any
drainage or other requirements.

Settlement and stability computations.

Recommendations concerning problems that may be encountered during

excavations, placement of earth materials, construction of pavement etc.

A draft geotechnical report should be submitted to the Project Manager for review and
comment. The review will be limited to considerations of general approach and compliance
with the Brief and should not be considered an independent design check. Following the
amendments made to the report as a result of the review, three bound copies and one looseleaf copy of the final report should be provided.

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REFERENCES
Engineering Road Note No. 9

Procedure for Thickness Design of Flexible

Pavements, 2004.

Materials Engineering

Guidelines for Geotechnical Investigation of Bridge

Report No. 2001-21M

and Waterways Structures.

Pavement Design

A Guide to the Structural Design of Road

Pavements, Austroads 2004.

Standards Australia

Geotechnical Site Investigation, Australian

Standards AS1726.

CLASSIFICATION

SUBJECT AREA

Geotechnical Engineering

KEYWORDS

Guidelines, Geotechnical Investigation,

Reconstruction, Widening

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